The 10 Best Dodgers' Baseball Cards of 2012

As the year comes to a close it's only natural to put together a list of the "10 Best" - 10 best moments, 10 best plays, 10 best whatever.  So in keeping with this tradition, I wanted to share with all of you what I believe are the "10 Best Dodgers Cards of 2012."

It was fairly difficult to narrow it down to just 10, but I promise you won't be disappointed.  Let's start it off with #10 on my list. Click on any pic to embiggen.

#10

Topps started out the 2012 collecting season with what I thought was a bang.  Their 2012 Opening Day card set includes this great looking "Superstar Celebrations" card featuring an ecstatic Matt Kemp being surrounded by an equally excited Dodgers team after a walk-off win.  This card gets bonus points for featuring the "Boys in Powder Blue."
#9

I can never get enough of Jackie Robinson on cardboard; especially if the card features him in Minor League Blue.  Below is a promotional card of Jackie as a member of the Montreal Royals (a Dodger farm team at the time) on a 1952 Topps design.  This was given out to attendees at the 2012 National Sports Collectors Convention in Baltimore in August. 

#8

The Cuban sensation who was signed to a 7-year $42Mil deal before ever stepping on a professional ball field comes in at #8.  Leaf Trading Cards created 3 different cards for Puig in 2012, but their 2012 Leaf Memories that pays homage to the classic 1990 Leaf design is a big winner in my book, notwithstanding the lack of team logos.  I show both the signed and unsigned versions of the card below.

#552 Yasiel Puig / #AU-YP1 Yasiel Puig

#7

Excitement barely described how Angelenos felt about the blockbuster trade with the Red Sox at the end of the season.  We finally got a big bat at a position that has sorely missed it.  Below is his first Baseball card in Dodger Blue, and it is a part of the 2012 Topps Update set.  BTW, this is a short printed card, so it will run you from $100 to $200 for it.

US1 Adrian Gonzalez - Dodgers

#6

Duke Snider, oh how we have missed you.  Snider passed away in 2011, so it was nice to see him remembered in various Topps sets throughout the year.  The below 2012 Triple Threads relic/autographed insert card is a favorite of mine.

TTUAR-102 Duke Snider - Dodgers 

#5

Koufax!  Koufax!  Koufax!  You're not a Dodger fan if you don't love Sandy Koufax.  And if you were lucky enough to pull this "1 of 1" Five Star Jumbo relic book of Sandy then count yourself as extremely fortunate.  It comes with 2 Koufax signatures- 2 of them!

#AJRB-SK Sandy Koufax - Los Angeles Dodgers

#4

I admit to loving the Heritage brand of Topps cards, and the below card using the classic 1963 Topps design is just great.  It emulates a card that featured the "Dodgers' Big Three" pitchers of 1963, Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale and Johnny Podres.  In the newest version it names the Dodgers' Big Three as Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp and Clayton Kershaw.

#412 Dodgers' Big Three

#3

After years of working through the Dodgers system, AJ Ellis finally got his shot with the Dodgers and didn't disappoint.  Heck, he quickly became a fan favorite.  So, I'm sure everyone was glad that Topps finally decided to reward him with his very first Baseball card.  It is in the 2012 Topps Update set.  Hilariously, he had to share his very first card with the likes of a violent mob.  Dee Gordon is in the midst of a choke hold while Andre Ethier and Justin Sellers go in for the kill. 

#US304 A.J. Ellis 

Even better is the fact that AJ Ellis commented about the card above on twitter.

(twitter link)

As a consolation, check out his other Topps card from the same set below.  It's an autographed card that he doesn't have to share with anyone.  BTW, this card is very affordable, and I would count it as a must have for any fan.

GMA-AE A.J. Ellis - Dodgers

#2

I know this card will elicit groans from the peanut gallery.  I can hear you now.  "Ned Colletti, really?"  Yes, I declare the 2012 Topps Update autographed insert card of Ned Colletti as the 2nd best Dodger card of 2012.  Deal with it.

Now, after looking at that smile can you really tell me that he is the least sexiest GM in Baseball?  Come on ladies, I want to hear from you.

AGM-NC Ned Colletti - Dodgers GM

#1

The best Dodger card of 2012 was a no brainer.  Panini's 2012 Cooperstown set is phenomenal, and the short-printed Vin Scully autographed card is gorgeous.  With only 100 copies available expect to pay several hundred dollars to add it to your collection.

#76 Vin Scully – Announcer /100

For those with limited funds - which likely includes all of us - the below "Voices of Summer" insert card from the same set should do just fine.  What a dapper looking young man.

#9 Vin Scully

Honorable Mention

I couldn't finish this list without making note of this very rare card.  It is a 2012 Topps 14 Karat Solid Gold "Golden Greats" card of Jackie Robinson.  It was pulled earlier this year by large case breaker BrentandBecca in a pack of 2012 Topps Series 1 Baseball.  They got a redemption card, turned it in, and received the card already graded in a BVG holder.  It's certainly a great card, but hardly "The Best" in my mind.  Although, you gotta love gold.

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